Sun Magazine Readers' Choice Awards

CaptionFood and Drink: Pizza

Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun photo

Matthew's Pizza 3131 Eastern Ave., Canton, 410-276-8755, matthewspizza.com The walls of Matthew's are covered with Best Ofs and assorted accolades from near and far. Sixty-one years in, you'd think the folks at Matthew's would know exactly why people love its thick-crust pizza so much. In fairness, Chris Maler has only owned the pizza parlor for about 20 years. Here's his best shot. "Some people say it's the crust; some people say it's the cheese; some say it's the sauce," Maler said. "I say: Come on in, and you let us know." The official city map says Matthew's in Canton, but everyone knows that Matthew's is the unofficial gateway to Highlandtown. -- Richard Gorelick

Matthew's Pizza 3131 Eastern Ave., Canton, 410-276-8755, matthewspizza.com The walls of Matthew's are covered with Best Ofs and assorted accolades from near and far. Sixty-one years in, you'd think the folks at Matthew's would know exactly why people love its thick-crust pizza so much. In fairness, Chris Maler has only owned the pizza parlor for about 20 years. Here's his best shot. "Some people say it's the crust; some people say it's the cheese; some say it's the sauce," Maler said. "I say: Come on in, and you let us know." The official city map says Matthew's in Canton, but everyone knows that Matthew's is the unofficial gateway to Highlandtown. -- Richard Gorelick (Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun photo)

Gypsy Queen Cafe 410-905-9954, gypsyqueencafe.com What a long, crazy trip it's been. In January 2011, about six months after they closed Helen's Garden, their popular Canton restaurant, Annmarie Langton, Tom Looney and Ed Scherer introduced Baltimore to their cafe on wheels and its signature item -- the Gypsy Cone, a waffle cone stuffed with macaroni and cheese, topped with bacon "bling." Looney said that for a chef, the main difference between a restaurant and a food truck is how close the customers are. "Every day is live theater for us," Looney said. "And our audience is right in front of us." -- Richard Gorelick

Gypsy Queen Cafe 410-905-9954, gypsyqueencafe.com What a long, crazy trip it's been. In January 2011, about six months after they closed Helen's Garden, their popular Canton restaurant, Annmarie Langton, Tom Looney and Ed Scherer introduced Baltimore to their cafe on wheels and its signature item -- the Gypsy Cone, a waffle cone stuffed with macaroni and cheese, topped with bacon "bling." Looney said that for a chef, the main difference between a restaurant and a food truck is how close the customers are. "Every day is live theater for us," Looney said. "And our audience is right in front of us." -- Richard Gorelick (Sarah Pastrana, Baltimore Sun Media Group photo)

These aren't the critics' picks. No, these are the people's choices. We invited Sun readers to nominate their favorite restaurants, stores and more on baltimoresun.com. Then, based primarily on your suggestions, we presented online ballots in 50 contests. Thousands of you responded to support your favorites in categories spanning Food & Drink, Personalities, Shopping, Services and Arts & Attractions. The result: the inaugural edition of the Sun Magazine Readers' Choice Awards.